Theory is one of most corroborated of all time

In a promotional article (“Science and Faith,” Feb. 15), Randy Hohf incorrectly asserts, “It (the theory of evolution) is based on neither observation nor repeatable experimentation, but is a matter of faith - a faith that is held so religiously that no one is even allowed to question it.”

Since it was first formulated by Charles Darwin nearly 150 years ago, the theory of evolution (TOE) has emerged as one of the best corroborated theories in all of science. Conversely, creationism, in its various guises, has consistently flunked every scientific test to which it has been subjected. In a misguided attempt to even the playing field, some anti-evolutionists are now fostering the deceit that the TOE is based on their own type of wishful thinking.

The TOE, like all established scientific theories, is firmly grounded in observable, verifiable, factual evidence. And, as are all scientific theories, it is open to rigorous examination. Faith is belief without definitive evidence. Only someone who is unfamiliar (purposely or otherwise) with the vast empirical database that underpins the TOE could mistake it for a faith-based ideology.

The evidential support for the TOE is strong and unequivocal. (See “29 Evidences for Macroevolution” on the Internet for some examples.) Creationists routinely ignore this evidence and pretend that it does not exist. Unfortunately for them, sticking their heads in the sand does not make the evidence go away. Nor does their self-imposed denial of the facts magically transform the TOE into faith-based religious dogma analogous to their own.

JACK DeBAUN

Sandpoint